Seahawks Notebook: For now, Seahawks' receiver spots wide open

Published 10:00 pm, Thursday, May 5, 2005

KIRKLAND -- Just the thought prompted the corners of Nolan Cromwell's mouth to curl into the slightest of smiles.

"You're not going to want to miss a whole lot of time in training camp, from the standpoint of there are going to be a lot of guys that can play and want to play," the Seahawks' wide receivers coach said.

Cromwell was talking about the added depth and quality of his wide receivers -- a group that has swollen to 11 with the offseason additions of free agents Jerome Pathon and Joe Jurevicius.

At times during the seven-day minicamp that concluded yesterday, there were more receivers on the practice field than any other position.

There are incumbent starters Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson, although Jackson did not attend the four-day "voluntary" camp for veterans, and Robinson continues to deal with the fallout from off-field problems that forced him to miss six of the final seven games last year.

There is dependable slot receiver Bobby Engram, who was one of four receivers to miss time last season because of injuries.

There is Alex Bannister, a Pro Bowl special teams player in 2003 who has caught only nine passes in 3 1/2 seasons and missed nine games last year with a broken collarbone.

Now, there also are Pathon and Jurevicius at a position where probably only six players will make the 53-man roster.

"All these guys we feel very good about," Cromwell said. "So you're going to have to come to practice every practice."

Last year, there were times when the Seahawks barely had enough receivers to practice. It's why nine different receivers were on the roster at various times, and No. 3 quarterback Seneca Wallace was needed to take some snaps at receiver on the scout team.

The injuries, and Robinson's pending suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy that first surfaced in early October but wasn't served until late November and December, prompted the Seahawks to trade for 42-year-old Jerry Rice in October.

This year, the plan is to be ready for any and all situations -- including Robinson sliding back into the off-field behavior that rendered him a nonfactor, but a major distraction, down the stretch.

"By adding Joe and Jerome, that gives us some experience in competing for a job," Cromwell said. "So it's a different group. A good group."

Another problem not only last year but in the past two seasons has been dropped passes. The Seahawks have been among the league leaders, and still managed to rank seventh and 13th in passing offense.

"To me, it is just practice," said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. "It is just like putting. If you work at it, you'll probably improve. If you don't, you probably won't.

"For the most part, guys are really working hard at that."

PASSER RATING: Despite the progress displayed by Wallace and the addition of third-round draft choice David Greene, coach Mike Holmgren said the club will continue to look for a veteran backup to replace Trent Dilfer, who was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March.

"That is on the list of things to do, if possible," Holmgren said.

INJURY REPORT: Fourth-year tight end Ryan Hannam had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday.

Hannam missed 11 games in 2003 after having reconstructive surgery on the same knee. The latest procedure was to correct a problem that had been making the joint swell.

Of the seven injured players who did not participate in this minicamp, defensive tackle Cedric Woodward (ankle) and safety Marquand Manuel (wrist) should be ready for the June minicamp, Holmgren said.